Don’t call it a houseboat, it’s an Arkup 50 Livable Yacht.
Yes, if offers two roomy bedrooms, two ensuite baths and a rooftop terrace as big as Kansas. But it can up-anchor and cruise the inland waterways under its own zero-emission, solar-electric power.
Yet what really sets it apart, are its spud poles. Excuse me, spud what? These are hefty steel tubes hidden out of sight in the four corners of the Arkup.
At the press of a button, they descend to the sea bed, then lift-up the yacht so that it sits out of the water, away from those pesky waves or swell. On a grander scale, it’s the same design used for offshore oil rigs.
It means no rocking and rolling, no queazy tummies for sea-sickness sufferers. And the electro-hydraulic poles extend 17 feet so in, say, 10 feet of water, they can levitate the Arkup up to seven feet above sea level.
Think of the possibilities. Cruise to your favorite bay or sand bar, lower the spuds – it takes around five minutes – then sit back and relax.
And the catamaran-hulled yacht is completely self-sustained, courtesy of its 75 kWh bank of lithium-ion batteries juiced by a full-length, top-deck roof frame that holds 30 12 kW solar panels.
Not only do the batteries deliver the power to run the Arkup’s air conditioning, but everything else, from the induction cooktop and electric grille, to the washer/dryer, lighting and TVs. You name it.
And most important, it delivers ample amps to power the yacht’s 80 hp electric propulsion system. Indefinitely. How come? On a sunny day, the solar system can generate enough electricity to push the Arkup at its five-knot cruise speed without draining the batteries.
Need to speed-up to punch against that incoming tide? Top speed is 8.5 knots. What happens when the sun goes in? There’s a diesel back-up generator.
Miami-based Arkup has been around since 2016. Founded by French engineers Arnaud Luguet and Nicolas Derouin, their first ‘Livable Yacht’ was the massive Arkup 75 with 4,000-square-feet of living space, six bedrooms and a $5 million price tag.
If you’ve ever driven along cruise-ship alley in Miami, you’ll have seen it parked outside a home on ritzy Star Island.
According to Arkup business development manager, Jared Pearlman, who gave me a tour of the new 50 during last year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the builder created the yacht to widen the appeal of this intriguing home on the water.
“Its uses are infinite. While we see it being used primarily as an extension of a waterfront home, it could also be a luxury guest apartment, an office, luxury rental or a weekend retreat.”
The version I toured was configured with a two-bed, two-bath layout, though Arkup can design it as a one-bedroom with one bath, or open-plan studio.
What comes standard however, is 660 square feet of living space under a/c on the lower level and another 660 square feet on the top deck. Opt for the power-deploying, wrap-around side decks and the 50’s total square-footage soars to 2,200 sq ft.
The beauty of these side decks is that they provide water-level space for reclining on a sun lounger, or tieing-up a tender alongside. And, as Pearlman points out, with the decks raised up and positioned flush against the floor-to-ceiling sliding glass windows, they seal-up the yacht “like a turtle in its shell”. That gives peace of mind in a storm, or hurricane, or to lock-and-leave when you’re away.
As for that roof deck, it is truly vast and just perfect for outdoor entertaining, movie watching, alfresco dinners, or just lounging. Arkup can even install a hot tub.
And the helm station is here, where the Arkup can be maneuvered using the 180-degree steerable stern propellor, together with the forward bow thruster.
As a floating villa without the all-important spud poles and fold-down terraces, an Arkup 50 will set you back around $900,000. Add those items, plus a few other luxuries and you’re looking at close to $1.6 million. Delivery is via a couple of 18-wheelers from the company’s Bedford, Indiana manufacturing facility.
No, you won’t be crossing any oceans in an Arkup and you’ll want to avoid big winds and waves. But as a luxury pied a l’eau, it’s a terrific concept.
